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The simplest salad marks Christmas Eve for Italian families.
Sliced oranges drizzled with olive oil and showered with a grinding of fresh black pepper is all that’s needed to usher in the meal.
I recall (with chagrin) that when my mother served this to our family decades ago when I was a teenager, I was disdainful, and I actually remember calling it “oily oranges.” How she put up with that, I’ll never know. Sorry Mom.
Now, of course, I am older and wiser, and I understand that it is not only a traditional dish, but it is utterly delicious!
Many decades ago, oranges were not easy to come by in the winter, so they were special. In fact, you might have gotten an orange in your stocking, because that represented a once-a-year, expensive treat. Now, of course, we take them for granted and expect them year-’round.
These days, I have been re-appreciating this salad, and making it with all the winter citrus that’s in season, along with some of my own additions – Kalamata olives and shaved red onion slices, which complement it nicely.
It’s a keeper, and a winter winner!
Italian Orange Salad for Christmas Eve
Sweet oranges or tangerines, sharp onions, salty olives and zippy black pepper combine in a traditional Italian Orange Salad for Christmas Eve or any winter dinner.
Ingredients
- 6 Jeju mandarins (or use any combination of oranges, blood oranges or tangerines)
- 3 thinly shaved slices of red onion, cut into quarter moons
- 12 Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- Olive oil
- Grinding of fresh black pepper
Directions
- Peel and slice tangerines crosswise, and lay the slices overlapping slightly on a plate or platter. You get points for making it pretty! Strew red onion and olives halves over. Drizzle with olive oil and grind some fresh black pepper over all.
- You may prepare the salad several hours ahead of time, cover with Saran wrap and leave on the counter at room temperature until serving time.
- Serves 4.
Notes
Recipe source: Dorothy Reinhold | Shockingly Delicious
https://www.shockinglydelicious.com/italian-orange-salad-for-christmas-eve-and-sundaysupper/Copyright Dorothy Reinhold | ShockinglyDelicious.com. All rights reserved.
Sweet oranges or tangerines, sharp onions, salty olives and zippy black pepper combine in a traditional Italian Orange Salad for Christmas Eve or any winter dinner.
Ingredients
- 6 Jeju mandarins (or use any combination of oranges, blood oranges or tangerines)
- 3 thinly shaved slices of red onion, cut into quarter moons
- 12 Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- Olive oil
- Grinding of fresh black pepper
Directions
- Peel and slice tangerines crosswise, and lay the slices overlapping slightly on a plate or platter. You get points for making it pretty! Strew red onion and olives halves over. Drizzle with olive oil and grind some fresh black pepper over all.
- You may prepare the salad several hours ahead of time, cover with Saran wrap and leave on the counter at room temperature until serving time.
- Serves 4.
Notes
Recipe source: Dorothy Reinhold | Shockingly Delicious
About Jeju Mandarins
Jeju mandarins are grown only on Jeju Island, south of the South Korea peninsula. They are known for their superb, sweet, juicy, low-acid taste, and they’re seedless and easy to peel. They’re worth seeking out in your produce department, distributed by Melissa’s Produce, which sent me samples to taste.
Sunday Supper
I brought my traditional Italian Orange Salad to our Sunday Supper potluck. We’re celebrating holidays, heritage and traditions, and the food that plays such a large role in our celebrations. Join us and try something new from these suggestions to add to your own holiday celebration!
Breakfast
- Eggs Benedict by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Holiday Cream Cheese Tea Ring by That Skinny Chick can Bake
- Orange Refrigerator Rolls by The Wimpy Vegetarian
- Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake by Small Wallet Big Appetite
Appetizers & Snacks
- Chicken Liver Pate by Tora’s Real Food
- Bindaetteok {Mung Bean Pancakes} by Kimchi Mom
- Crab and Asparagus Soup by The Urban Mrs.
Sides
- Potato Salad {Schwaebischer Kartoffelsalat} by Galactopdx
- Italian Orange Salad by Shockingly Delicious
- Sweet Potato Casserole by Magnolia Days
- Carrots au gratin by Juanitas Cocina
Main Dishes
- Char Siu Bao – Chinese Roast Pork Buns by The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- Savory Crepe Cake by Vintage Kitchen
- West Indian Curried Goat by The ROXX Box
- Pot Cheese and Potato Cheese Pierogies by Cupcakes and Kale Chips
- Seafood Gumbo and Grilled Oysters: A Louisiana Christmas Tradition by the Catholic Foodie
- Mom’s Paella by What Smells So Good?
- Portuguese inspired Chorizo Crown Pork Roast by Family Foodie
- Dorie’s Chicken in a Pot by Gotta Get Baked
- New Year’s Eve Buckwheat Noodles with Mochi by The Ninja Baker
- Mile High Lasagna by Cravings of a Lunatic
- Crab Cakes for Christmas Eve by Daddy Knows Less
Desserts
- Pizzelles {Italian Wafer Cookies} by Chocolate Moosey
- Fudge by Dinner Dishes and Desserts
- Crescent Cookies by Cookistry
- Christmas Stollen by Hezzi D’s Books and Cooks
- Pfeffernussen by The Foodie Army Wife
- Creme De Menthe Cake by I Run for Wine
- Panettone Bread Pudding by the Country Girl in the Village
- Spiced Gingerbread Gooey Butter Cake | A twist on a St. Louis Favorite by Daily Dish Recipes
- Chocolate Gingerbread Cake with Eggnog Cream Cheese Frosting by Crispy Bits and Burnt Ends
- Jamaican Christmas Pudding by Lovely Pantry
- White Chocolate Cranberry Santa Cookies by Mooshu Jenne
- Christmas Tree Cookies by Damn Delicious
- Old Fashioned Lady Fingers {Creamhorns} by The Meltaways
- Rose Milk Almond Falooda {Indian Dessert Drink} by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
Drinks
- Wine Pairings by ENOFYLZ Wine Blog
- Cinnamon Infused Hot Chocolate with Southern Comfort Whipped Cream by Mama Mommy Mom
Welcome to my kitchen!
At ShockD, you’ll find scrumptious, tried & true, "scary good" recipes, tips and coaching to make YOU a fabulous home cook! Don't blame me if you need a 12-step program to wean yourself away!
E-mail me: Dorothy.Reinhold@gmail.com
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Sounds like a great salad! Hope you have a great Christmas!
Thank you for the reminder of how privileged we are to have easy access to oranges. As a kid, the fruit was always in my stocking. It was a tradition. I love how you’ve honored your history, your mother with your bright Italian Orange Salad.
My kinda recipe…easy, and by the looks of it tasty! Thanks for sharing!
I’ve got Band Fruit Fundraiser oranges and tangerines in the fridge–I think I’ll try this!
Thank you!
What a gorgeous, vibrant salad! This is definitely a must-try in my book!
I make a very similar orange salad every winter when all the citrus comes into season – it’s a wonderfully refreshing salad!! Thanks for sharing!
Such a pretty salad! I love the oranges.
Thanks for sharing! We always had (and have) mandarin oranges for Christmas. The smell when you peel the orange has always been evocative of the holidays for me. It is interesting that oranges are part of the holiday traditions around the world because they used to be so rare, just like the rich spices.
The fam would love this for sure
I did not know that this was an Italian salad… my dad makes it all the time and I thought that he made it up!! 🙂 It’s a gorgeous salad!
This is perfect for our summer Christmas! Isn´t it good that our palates develop over time? Have a great Christmas Dorothy!
Yum! A simple but memorable dish. Thanks for sharing!
Looks and sounds so refreshing. I love the juxtaposition of sweet and salty flavors in this salad. And I’m really curious about those jeju mandarins. I’ve never heard of them!
I want oily oranges!
Jen,
And you shall have them!
Such a beautiful, bright salad for your table! I think I would have responded the same way as a teenager, but now. Yum!
I have never tried Italian Orange Salad but it looks amazing… can’t wait to try it! It has been such a pleasure getting to know you this past year! Thank you for being part of #SundaySupper. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
What a gorgeous, refreshing salad for the holidays! Perfect balance to all the carbs. Merry Christmas, Dorothy and happy #SundaySupper!
It certainly also looks beautiful!
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